Rise in rat fever among farmers causes concern

[IRIN]

Health authorities in Sri Lanka are concerned about a spike in the number of reported cases of Leptospirosis, known as rat fever, among farmers and are redoubling efforts to halt the spread of the potentially fatal disease. Rice farmers, usually males between the age of 20 and 60, are the most vulnerable and are being provided with a free prophylactic antibiotic by the government. They are also being advised on basic precautions against contracting the infection.